Seahawks-Lions Matchup: St. Brown is well aware of the challenge ahead against Witherspoon

St. Brown is As the Detroit Lions prepare for their Week 4 matchup with the Seattle Seahawks, fourth-year receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown seems to be finding his rhythm at just the right time. Despite a sluggish start to his 2024 season—hauling in only three catches for 13 yards in Week 1 against the L.A. Rams—the 2021 fourth-rounder has returned to his Pro Bowl form over the past two weeks.

He’s recorded 18 catches for 194 yards and a touchdown during this stretch, including a seven-catch, 75-yard performance in the Lions’ 20-13 victory over the Arizona Cardinals last week.

St. Brown also boasts solid career stats against Seattle. In two games against the Seahawks, he’s tallied 14 catches for 213 yards and a touchdown, catching 77.8 percent of the passes thrown his way. In his last meeting with Seattle, during Week 2 of the 2023 season, he delivered six catches for 102 yards.

However, the task won’t be easy for St. Brown against Seattle’s top-ranked pass defense on Monday night. He’ll likely be matched up for most of the game with second-year Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon, who excels in the slot.

Witherspoon, a Pro Bowler in 2023, had a stellar rookie season, becoming the first rookie since 1999 to post 16 passes defensed, three sacks, and eight tackles for loss in a single season. He also recorded an interception, limited opposing quarterbacks to a 58.3 percent completion rate, and earned an impressive 84.1 overall grade from Pro Football Focus, including a 79.7 coverage grade.

This season, the Illinois product has continued to shine. In three games, he’s allowed only eight completions on 15 targets for 44 yards. He’s also posted a passer rating against of 77.4 and received a 70.8 overall grade, including a 67.0 coverage grade from PFF.

Dan Campbell and the Lions’ front office held Witherspoon in high regard during the 2023 pre-draft process. In fact, they would have selected the standout defensive back at No. 6 overall if Seattle hadn’t taken him one pick earlier. Detroit then traded down with the Arizona Cardinals, acquiring additional picks, and went on to select running back Jahmyr Gibbs at No. 12 and tight end Sam LaPorta at No. 34.

“We really liked him a lot,” Campbell said of Witherspoon. “What you see on tape is exactly what we thought. He’s a competitive, feisty, tough football player. Plays corner, plays nickel, and he’s always around the ball.”

St. Brown is well aware of the challenge ahead against Witherspoon.

“Witherspoon’s feisty. He can cover and is sticky,” St. Brown said to reporters leading up to Monday’s contest. “I think their secondary’s probably the best we’ve seen all year. It’s going to be a challenge for us.”

With LaPorta nursing a low-ankle sprain, Lions quarterback Jared Goff may lean on St. Brown even more. I predict the fourth-year receiver will end up with seven catches, 89 yards, and a touchdown in Detroit’s Week